The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 50-year-old traditional ruler in Osun State, Ba’ale Ige Babatunde, for possession of fresh cannabis plants weighing 5 kilograms. This arrest is part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking in the country.
The NDLEA also arrested a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Yusuf Abdulrahman, 25, at a Corpers Lodge in Kano State. He was found with 1.25 kilograms of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis. Meanwhile, in Lagos, NDLEA officers raided the base of a high-profile cocaine syndicate led by a couple, Agbakoba John Mmadu and Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe, along with their associate, Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane.
The raid followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance. The NDLEA seized 10.1 kilograms of cocaine valued at over N2.1 billion. The operation resulted in the arrest of 54-year-old Agbakoba John-Mmadu at Ago Palace Way, Okota. His wife, Ijeoma-Chinwe, 39, and their associate, Ifeoma-Maryjane, 31, were arrested at Lilly Estate, Amuwo Odofin.
In Benue State, NDLEA intercepted a consignment of cocaine hidden in an MP3 speaker at a checkpoint along Enugu Road, Otukpo. A swift follow-up operation led to the arrest of Odeh Anthony, 25, at Flight Motor Park in Otukpo.
Additionally, in Adamawa State, NDLEA officers arrested Chadian national Yves Ahmat Gali. He was found with a loudspeaker concealing 20 compressed blocks and nine plastic containers of Loud, totaling 5.2 kilograms. The arrest occurred during a stop-and-search operation along Ngurore-Yola Road.
In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives raided Ikota Forest in the Ifedore Local Government Area. They destroyed 42,500 kilograms of cannabis on 17 hectares of farmland. During a five-day operation, officers also recovered 73.5 kilograms of cannabis for prosecution.
In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA officers arrested Sanusi Mamman, 28, and Usaini Ibrahim, 20. They were caught with 1,132 bottles of codeine syrup, 13,540 tramadol pills, 50,000 diazepam pills, and 59 rohypnol pills. The suspects claimed they were transporting the opioids from Onitsha, Anambra State.
The NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continues in schools and communities across Nigeria. Brigadier General Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and CEO of NDLEA, praised the agency’s efforts. He emphasized the importance of balancing drug supply reduction with WADA sensitization activities and urged operatives to maintain their momentum.
Source: The Guardian
